Unseeded American tennis player Sloane Stephens had a sluggish start in the Cincinnati Open, but managed to overcome it and secure a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Elisabetta Cocciaretto from Italy. Due to rain, both players didn’t have a proper warm-up before the match, which added to the challenges they faced on the court. However, Stephens managed to break Cocciaretto’s serve five times and saved three of five break points throughout the match.
At the beginning of the match, Cocciaretto took control and built a 5-2 lead, giving her two opportunities to serve out the set. However, Stephens found her rhythm and fought back, breaking Cocciaretto’s serve to love on both occasions. This five-game winning streak allowed Stephens to clinch the first set.
Stephens carried the momentum into the second set, keeping her foot on the gas. She consolidated an early break with a comfortable hold to love, taking a commanding 3-0 lead. From there, Stephens continued her dominant play and eventually closed out the match with another service break.
In the second round of the Cincinnati Open, Stephens will face off against the defending champion, Caroline Garcia from France. Stephens can expect a tougher challenge as Garcia has a 4-2 head-to-head record against her, including two first-round victories at the Cincinnati Open. However, it’s worth noting that Stephens won their most recent encounter at Guadalajara in 2022.
Although Stephens had a slow start and faced some difficulties due to the rain delay, she expressed her happiness with the overall outcome. In her on-court interview, she mentioned feeling a bit slow initially and acknowledged the challenges her opponent faced with the shortened warm-up. Despite the drama, Stephens was pleased to come out with the victory and advance to the next round of the tournament.
Sloane Stephens displayed resilience and determination in her win over Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the Cincinnati Open. Overcoming a slow start, Stephens showcased her ability to raise her game and dominate her opponent. As she prepares to face Caroline Garcia in the second round, Stephens will need to bring her best tennis to the court in order to secure another victory.
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